![]() Sandwiches are meant to be eaten in two or three bites. How do we start? With sandwiches!Īfternoon Tea has a strict menu and order, so pay attention. The tea has fruity and delicate essence, which some compare to champagne. Darjeeling is usually made as a back tea, but can also be processed as green, white, or oolong. It’s served without milk or sugar if sweetening is necessary, use honey.ĭarjeeling: Called the “champagne” of tea, it has a sweet, exotic aroma. The flavor varies from light to full-bodied, floral to grassy, and sweet to oaky. Oolong: A traditional Chinese tea, it’s also a black tea, but processed differently, so it ends up as its own category. Other teas that are special: Consider adding one of these to your party! It soothes, promotes digestion, and tastes like candy canes. Peppermint: Coming in second place, peppermint tea needs no introduction. Made from the chamomile flower, it has a comforting aroma and mellow, sweet taste. There are, of course, traditional favorites, but choose what you like.Ĭhamomile: If there’s a classic herbal tea, this is it. Delicate flavors and no caffeine offer a counter-balance to the black teas. Herbal: Every gathering should offer at least one type of herbal tea. (Which makes sense, since India was part of the Empire for a long time.) These are the teas that can handle milk–never cream–if that’s your pleasure.Įarl Grey: Maybe the most famous of all black teas, the distinctive flavor of the essential oil of bergamot appeals to nearly everyone.Īssam: Also known as English or Irish Breakfast, this is a strong tea from India. Black tea has more caffeine than other types, but still less than coffee. If you have a third teapot available, go for a trifecta.īlack Teas: More oxidized than green or white tea, the leaves are dark and the flavor is intense and full-bodied. You’ll want to serve at least two kinds of tea at your gathering: a black tea and an herbal tea. Choosing the right cup of tea can lead to an enjoyable and relaxing afternoon with friends.” The website Destination Tea, dedicated to all-things Afternoon Tea, says, “…you should know what teas go well with an afternoon tea menu. This is a serious matter, so there are serious decisions to make about which teas to serve. It’s more than a “cuppa.” It’s part of the culture and tradition. So basically, Low Tea is a social occasion and High Tea is a meal. Served after 5 pm, it’s meant for workers who are hungry after a day on the job and need food with substance. Its menu is hearty, with meat, eggs, and cheesy casseroles. “High Tea” is–you guessed it–eaten at a high table, like a counter or table. Then Josiah Spode invented bone china, which kept tea hot while appearing très chic, and there was no turning back. Anna decided to fill in a couple of hours with light fare and good company from her aristocratic circle.īy the 1880s, English Afternoon Tea was a thing, complete with a special wardrobe of wispy, lacy dresses, designed with loose waists. Gas lighting had been invented, pushing dinner time until 8-9 pm. Think sitting room, in front of a cozy fire, with other gentlewomen.Īfternoon Tea got its start in 1840, when Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, grew restless in late afternoons. Benches or what we now call coffee tables. Okay, that was MY misunderstanding, because I thought High Tea meant “fancy.” Afternoon Tea, served between 3 to 5 pm, is also called “Low Tea” because it was first served at…well, low tables. Low Tea or High Tea? Big difference!įirst, let’s clear up a misunderstanding right away: It’s not High Tea. “RSVP: Regrets Only.” No one “regretted.” Still have your wedding china? Dig it out and have some fun! Learn how to set the table for a proper English Afternoon Tea here. To round out the guest list, I included Saedy’s mother and brother, my daughter and grandson. I wanted to give them something special to look back on. (The first was a baby shower over a decade ago that boy is in junior high school now.) Saedy and Brooke are high school seniors, the class that will be remembered for all the memories they didn’t get to make: no prom, no Senior Ditch Day, no graduation ceremony. I just hosted my second English Afternoon Tea for my granddaughter and her best friend. Never mind the bountiful utensils surrounding the delicate china on three sides.īut, how fun to gather some friends and do a little time travel back to genteel days when the Victorian world understood the art and pleasure of taking tea. On the other hand, you eat with your fingers. It comes with complicated etiquette, from start to finish. English Afternoon Tea is something of a contradiction.
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